Daily Art Blurbs 8 th Grade Art

Procedure for Today:  Demonstration over art folders and sketchbooks  Start folders and sketchbooks!

Daily Art Blurb #1  What is one thing you would like to learn in this class this year?

Daily Art Blurb #2 Copy down this definition: Paper Mache: a substance made from paper pulp that can be molded when wet and painted when dry.

Daily Art Blurb #3  What is one medium (or type of art) that you would like to try in this class? Examples: Drawing, painting, clay, printmaking, sculpture, pen and ink, plaster, molding, etc.

Daily Art Blurb #4 Dia de los Muertos “Day of the Dead”- one of Mexico’s most important holidays. The holiday is on November 2, and is a time to remember loved ones now gone.

Day of the Dead Calavera Sculptures

How do you celebrate death?  Many people celebrate death in different ways. How is death treated in America?  The Mexican culture views death in a much different way: “The Mexican flatters and woos death, he sings to her, dances with her, lifts his glass to her, and laughs with her. Finally he challenges her, and in the challenging, death loses her power to intimidate him.”

How did this holiday come about?  500 years ago, Spaniards came into what is now Mexico  They saw the Mexican natives celebrating Dia de los Muertos  They tried to get rid of the tradition, but with now luck  So instead they moved the celebration to the Catholic holiday of All Saints Day and All souls day

Activities of the Festival  Families prepare favorite foods of the departed and picnic at their graves.  They adorn the graves with marigolds, the traditional flower of the dead, and strew paths of petals to lead the spirits to the offerings.

 The people dance, sing and share memories of their loved ones welcoming their spirits, who are thought to return briefly to take part in the celebration.

Sugar Skulls Sugar skulls are a fun treat that are made for Dia de los Muertos. They are created purely out of sugar and are then decorated with bright colors and interesting designs.

Papel Picado  Tissue paper that is cut to make extremely interesting designs for the Dia de los Muertos celebrations.

Pan de Muerto  This sugary, sweet bread is enjoyed by the families of the deceased during Dia de los Muertos, as well as placed on the altar.  The Pan de Muerto is made into a loaf and extra dough is fashioned into decorations resembling bones.  The bread is backed, glazed, and decorated with colored sugar.

Tradition behind Day of the Dead  The atmosphere during the Day of the Dead is often a festive occasion, not a morbid one.  Not Halloween!  To the Mexican people, this is a time to honor their dead ancestors and to provide altars, food, music, and decorations for the spirits as they return home each year.

Home Altars  At home, family members often build an altar in honor of deceased loved ones.  They decorate them with flowers, candles, and loved one’s photos.  They leave the loved one’s favorite foods, gifts, and any other items the spirit might need on their return. These gifts are called “ofrendas”.

Things to remember…  It is a holiday with a complex history, and therefore they way it is practiced various from region to region.  It is not a morbid occasion, but rather, a festive time.

La Catrina

Calaveras  These are skeleton figures that appear to be doing ordinary, everyday things.  They are friendly images, like a dancing skeleton playing a guitar.  They funny skeletons make death seem more approachable and less of a sad occasion.

Calavera

Daily Art Blurb #5 How would you describe a “calavera”?

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Daily Art Blurb #6  You are stranded on an island (OH NO!!!!!). You are allowed ONE object- what object would you choose? Draw me a picture of that object!

Daily Art Blurbs #7  Armature : a metal framework on which a sculpture is molded with clay or other material.

Daily Art Blurb #8  Papel Picado: Tissue paper that is cut to make extremely interesting designs for the Dia de los Muertos celebrations.

Daily Art Blurb #9  Pan de Muerto: “Bread of the Dead” A sugary sweet bread that is enjoyed by the families of the deceased during Dia de los Muertos, as well as placed on the altar.

Daily Art Blurb #10  Remember when we talked about the history of Dia de los Muertos?....  500 years ago, who tried to get rid of the Mexican holiday?

Daily Art Blurb #11  Ofrenda: Offerings left on graves or alters for deceased loved ones. These gifts include loved one’s favorite foods, soap, razors, and any other items the spirit might need on their return.

Daily Art Blurb #12